Gay Canary Islands

San Francisco might be home to the biggest gay community in the USA but Gran Canaria is the gay centre of Europe. If you’re not gay, it won’t make any difference to you because there are plenty of couples and families on holiday too. But if you are gay, you will find many other gay people, gay bars, gay restaurants, gay hairdressers, gay gyms etc. There is virtually no homophobia here because the locals are brought up with it.

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Photo By Howie_Berlin

The Yumbo Centre in Playa del Inglés is very well known. It is a huge 3 storey centre, packed with shops, restaurants and bars. In the daytime you can eat lunch or do some shopping and by night it is transformed into bar heaven. Anything goes and if you want to “dress up” you can. In fact, you can see many sights, such as transvestites, men in skimpy thongs and make up, butch lesbians. Everyone is friendly and open and whether you are gay, straight or bisexual, everything is tolerated.

Photo By Howie_Berlin

Some of the bars are strictly gay only, some are mainly for gay people and others are family bars, where you can sing on the karaoke or have a go at bar quizzes. There are also “cruising bars” with darkrooms (use your imagination!)

Even if you are staying in Puerto Rico, the restaurants, bars and shops are gay-friendly but there are nowhere near as many gay bars as in Playa del Inglés.

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If you are gay, Gran Canaria is a great place to take a holiday in 2008 because there are plenty of like-minded people here and you can dress and act as you like!

7 Comments

The thing is here in Gran canaria, If you are gay and decide to settle here, you do not have to stick to the gay resorts, you can settle in any canarian village, and you will be accepted amongst them there is absolutely no predjudice against sexual orientation or even nationality here, Everyone is accepted even in the very small villages. Which makes it along with the weather, (virtualy the same all year round in the south) A paradise island of no trouble or hassle and stress free way of life that way.

I would second what Paul above says.
I have lived in Las Burrillas for 6 years now just across the road from El Cercado, we have many friends of all nationalities, and sexual orientation. All living in the small villages near to us and even in the main town of pueblo Mogan past us. We give barbecues from time to time and invite everybody all our friends aqaintances and neighbours. All get on brilliantly and strike up friendships with each other. We have a fabulous life of growing our own fruit and veg, sharing them with everyone who does the same with us The valley of Mogan is one of the SECRET areas to live in Gran canaria. all clusters of little villages. yet only two minutes by car from Playa Mogan or (little venice) as it is known by.We run our business from the valley here.( http://www.playamogan.es ) in the most healthiest climate in the world. ( so the nasa scientists say)

Mogan is very beautiful and peaceful. Well worth a visit. And you’re right about there not being any sexual prejudice on the island and everyone being free to be themselves. Heaven for anyone who’s suffered from abuse or discrimination somewhere else.